Emperor!Takahashi!

Definitely. Some of my favorite observing time is when I'm between "targets." I enjoy stepping away from the telescope, and I always try to keep binoculars within reach to just scan around and take it all in. And then I put those down and just look up and feel glad to be alive. This is especially the case under dark skies, though... I do feel a sense of loss here in the city.

Gosh that's beautiful. Is that a Waite Renegade?

For me, it's not about size. As long as it's a Tak...

Here are a couple more relevant observing lists: https://www.astroleague.org/southern-sky-binocular-observing-program/ https://www.astroleague.org/southern-sky-telescopic-observing-program/ It's one of my goals/dreams to spend some quality time under dark Southern skies with a pair of large binoculars. Ah...

That's great, especially since many scopes will provide enjoyable, albeit different, views of doubles and planets. Speaking for myself, it took me a while to figure out what it is that I like and want in telescopes. I love my 60mm refractor because they views of certain objects it provides are so sharp and beautiful. Its lack of aperture doesn't bother me at all because I know the function of aperture and I know I don't need it for that type of observing. But when I'd want to find fainter open clusters from darker skies, I loved a 10" f/4 dob that I owned. It took forever to thermally acclimate with its full-thickness mirror, but that didn't bother me at all because aperture and FOV (not sharpness) were the important variables for that type of observing. The "aperture wins" argument doesn't impress me. The important part is knowing what aperture does to the image... its function. And knowing what sharpness does to the image... And contrast... And so on. This takes experimentation over time. My advice (which may not be worth anything since I'm some random internet person!) is not to get a massive scope that may pose a struggle to use and to sell. I recommend trying out small/medium scopes of various optical designs and attributes first. Then, you'll get to know what you want and can pick the scope of your dreams.

aperture, sharpness, contrast, correction for various aberrations, portability, ease of thermal acclimation, ease of mounting, cost, personal brand preferences, optical design, personal optical design preferences, ergonomic preferences... and a few others, I'm sure. These are the variables. Different people privilege different ones, different scopes are weaker and stronger in different ones, and different observing/imaging goals make different ones more or less important. That's why the "which do you recommend" threads can elicit various, contrasting opinions (which is fine, of course). In my opinion, what's most useful is trying one's best to figure out which variables matter to them and choosing accordingly.

I've owned a C6 and an Intes-Micro Mak-Cass concurrently. The C6 was an excellent performer and surpassed the Intes-Micro (which was also an excellent performer) in planetary, lunar, and DSO performance. It also allowed for a wider FOV and was a pleasure to use with binoviewers. They were basically the same size, but that extra inch of aperture on the C6 made a real difference at the eyepiece. I think the C6 is an underappreciated telescope. So small and easy to mount, yet quite capable and versatile. On nights of decent seeing, the planetary performance of the C6 bested my Takahashi FC-100DC. (I assume this may be my last post before I'm banned for flagrant heresy.)

I see. No worries: I didn't mean to give you work to do 🙂 I like it because it's what one would see at the eyepiece. I've often wished I had a way to capture the view of doubles. I'm also not an imager, and I haven't been satisfied with my attempts at sketching.

That's very cool! Can I ask what you used to take the picture? I like it very much.

I've owned the AZ75, and I own the APZ. The AZ75 is a more solidly built mount that will hold a heavier/larger OTA. It doesn't have slow-mo controls. I think it would be happy with a typical 5" refractor, 8" SCT, etc. The APZ is a lighter but still finely built mount with slow-mo controls. Mine works well with a light 6" mak-newt and heavy 2" eyepieces, and I'd be comfortable using it with a light 5" refractor or typical 4" refractor and a binoviewer. Both mounts are excellent!

Such as astronomy forums 🙃

Why don't you dress more warmly, Stu? I'm noticing a pattern emerging with the shorts and Crocs. We don't want to lose any mods.

If you're in an area with variable seeing, as many of us are in the UK, and the scope will need to thermally acclimate each time you use it, then I'd recommend the 4" refractor for the reasons others have shared. An SCT can be an excellent visual observing instrument, and the C9.25 is highly regarded as such. But a couple of the reason many observers in the UK prefer refractors are the seeing conditions (a smaller telescope with fine optics is less stymied than a larger telescope from reaching its full resolving potential under poor-average seeing) and the refractor's ability to thermally acclimate far more quickly than other telescope designs. Both of these factors are crucial yet often underestimated. It's also worth considering that a larger SCT or newt will require a beefier mount than a 4" refractor, for visual and especially for imaging. Setting up a heavy mount can become a chore and deterrent over time. One can do a lot with a 4" refractor. @mikeDnight sketches are incontrovertible evidence! If I lived somewhere with steady temperatures and steady air, I'd certainly favor larger scopes. But here in the UK... 😁

Hi Mark, How is the seeing where you live, typically? Will your scope be set up outside in a dome, or will you take it outside from your home when you observe?

Yes, I think that's how it would work. They'd deduct the EU VAT, and then you'd get an invoice in the mail from Parcel Force once the item is in customs to pay the 20% UK VAT. They deliver the item once the fees are paid. It's a minor hassle, but TS is a trustworthy company.

Now that's a good looking setup! Beautiful. Makes me miss the old Mewlon... Lovely telescopes.

Maybe this is why so many people are losing things these days.

Glad to hear that the view is improving. It's helpful to learn to differentiate thermal issues from poor seeing at the eyepiece because then we know how to address it. If it's a thermal issue, then more/different acclimation is in order. If it's poor seeing, then the Mewlon won't be able to strut its stuff until the air is steadier (but will still provide nice lower-magnification views). If it's not thermally acclimated, you'll see a distinct plume on a defocused star, and the diffraction pattern will be warped. The final picture in this post shows it: https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/812857-so-what-is-it-about-insulating-cats/?p=11776530 If it's poor seeing, the whole defocused star image will be weak and swaying. Of course, it could be both a thermal issue and poor seeing. And the Mewlon will always be more susceptible to poor seeing than a refractor. The central obstruction causes the light to be concentrated beyond the first diffraction ring... pushes it outward so that the "target" shape of a defocused star is more diffuse than in a refractor. Since the light is less concentrated, star images sway around more with atmospheric turbulence. I used to use a 180C with an FC-100DC. On nights of poor to average seeing, the refractor always provided a more satisfying view. But on the nights of good seeing, and when I'd taken care to thoroughly acclimate the Mewlon, the Mewlon would provide views far beyond the capability of the refractor. Some of the views I had through that scope are still so vivid in my mind... Mewlons are lovely scopes.

Totally inspiring. Tak really ought to send you an endorsement contract.

I don't have an answer to your specific question, but I do recommend Teleskop Service, who sells the same binocular: https://www.teleskop-express.de/en/binoculars-spotting-scopes-microscopes-range-finders-31/binoculars-with-porro-prisms-99/apm-ms-16x70-magnesium-ed-apo-binoculars-with-nitrogen-fill-9356 TS has outstanding customer service and, in my experience, pays for return shipping if the item arrives damaged. I haven't had positive experiences with APM, but I've had consistently excellent experiences with TS.

Lost two finder scopes?! Did one go looking for the other and not return??

Lost £170 on the classifieds today.

Please share recommendations for eyepieces that mate especially well with slow telescopes. For example, the 48mm Brandon was absolute magic with my old Mewlon.

A Dog Star reference, actually 😊 But I'm a big fan of Animagus Gary Oldman, too. VID-20240208-WA0004.mp4

Ok, I'll say one more thing, and then I vow to be less asinine for a while. Maybe the stars looked hairy because Malcolm was looking at SIRIUS 🤣🤣🤣